District reports construction progress at Roosevelt, Liberty Hill and Lake Valley; athletics bid approved

Doctor Hopkins presented the facilities report, giving construction updates for three district projects and asking the board to move forward on an athletics package for Lake Valley High School.

At Roosevelt Middle School, interior finishes in the fine-arts wing and new sidewalks and canopies are progressing; Hopkins said the space is expected to be occupiable in early June. At Liberty Hill Elementary, slabs are in place and masonry has begun; a third-party review counted roughly 10,000 cubic yards of rock encountered during excavation that is being evaluated for impact to allowances.

Lake Valley High School showed steady progress: masonry and elevated slabs are up in the first wings, the cafeteria slab was poured above the athletics area, and the nine-grade wing and fine-arts wing are taking shape. Hopkins said he and contractors reported confidence in the schedule and that the teams have been able to shift work areas during rain to keep the project moving.

Hopkins said the district opened bids for the Lake Valley athletics package, which covers playing fields and practice areas (not the stadium). Southern Builders submitted the low bid and Hopkins presented negotiations and value-engineering work that reduced the likely contract cost. Hopkins asked the board to approve a contract for the athletics package not to exceed $9,400,000.

Later in the meeting the board approved the athletics package award to Southern Builders; the contract amount and vote are recorded in the board's actions.